With the launch of Recall, Microsoft is officially bringing one of the most exciting new features for Copilot+ PCs to the general public. The AI-powered search technology is designed to help users quickly and intuitively access past activities on the computer. Despite some controversy around privacy and security, Recall remains a significant step in the evolution of personalized IT experiences.
- Recall is available exclusively for Copilot+ PCs and uses local AI models.
- The feature automatically creates “snapshots” of all screen activity.
- Users can search for past content using natural language.
- Privacy options allow customization of what content is captured.
What makes Recall special
Recall works with locally executed AI models, which means that the data is processed directly on the device and not via the cloud. This is intended to keep sensitive information better protected – an important argument in view of the concerns that were raised in advance.
The function takes screenshots of the screen content at regular intervals. These snapshots are made searchable, so you no longer need to know exactly where a file was saved or in which app a particular piece of information appeared. Instead, a search query in everyday language such as “Show me the recipe I opened last week” is sufficient.
Microsoft emphasizes that Recall can be deliberately adapted to the user. Certain apps, websites or sensitive information can be excluded from the recording. In addition, all stored data can be deleted at any time. This flexibility is intended to help address data protection concerns while still taking advantage of the new technology.
Requirements and first devices with Recall
Recall will be available exclusively on the new Copilot+ PCs – a new class of devices equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chipsets. With their integrated NPU (Neural Processing Unit), these processors enable the efficient local execution of AI applications such as Recall.
The first Copilot+ PCs, including models from Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer and ASUS, are expected to be available from June 2025. The prerequisite for using Recall is not only the right hardware, but also Windows 11 in a special, updated version that fully supports the Copilot+ features.
According to Microsoft, older PCs cannot be retrofitted manually, as the hardware requirements – especially NPU performance – are considered essential for the function. Recall therefore remains a premium feature reserved for the new PC generations.
Conclusion
With Recall, Microsoft presents an innovative tool that could fundamentally change the way users find information on their PC. Despite initial criticism around data protection, the locally working AI offers a promising approach to making relevant content more quickly and intuitively accessible.
